AIR DEFENCE IN N.Z.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10095, 7 September 1925, Page 6

AIR DEFENCE IN N.Z.

TRAINING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. COMMENT IN COMMANDANT’S REPORT. <SPECIAL TO THE TIMES.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 3. Major-General Melville, in his report on the Defence Forces, states regarding the Permanent Air Force, that owing to the non-arrival of new aircraft ard spares ordered from England, the small staff experienced considerable difficulty in keeping the old machines in an airworthy condition in order to carry out the refresher courses for officers of the Now Zealand Air Force (Territorial) and great credit is due to all concerned for the 1 admirable results attained. Liaison | was maintained with the land forces j of the Southern Command, and dur- j iiig the training season numerous ' flights involving a total flying time of some fifteen hours were carried out for the .purpose of co-operating with signal and artillery units. In regard to the Territorial Air Force, in which there are 104 officers, it is stated that owing to the shortage of machines it was not possible to increase the number of pilots attending refresher courses, and during .the period under review only 40 officers were called up as* against 48 in the previous year. The courses were carried out on land ’planes at the Wigrarn . aerodrome, and were most satisfactory, the officers under instruction displaying the greatest keenness both in their ground duties and aerial work. The ground training included instruction in the theory of flight, aero engines, rigging, air operations, wireless, musketry, and Vickers and Lewis guns. The flying training consisted of dual and solo flying on Avros, Bristol fighters, D.H.4’s, and D.H9’s, including formation flying. The average flying time per pilot was seven hours. Lack of appliances prevented advanced training in bombing, photography, aerial gunnery, etc. The two new Bristol fighter aeroplanes are to be fitted with wireless, and will be used for army co-operation duties. The six Avros are the standard elementary training machines. The aero-engine repair shop at the Wigrarn aerodrome lias been improved by the installation of several new machines, and all wood-working machinery has been re- , moved and 1 installed in another portion of the building, used solely for tlie repair and erection of aircraft. This rearrangement lias made for increased efficiency in both departments. , General Melville states that the present small annual appropriations for the air service render it impossible to organise a scheme which will permit of nnv degree of comprehensive flying being undertaken by air units composed of either permanent or territorial personnel. Before such units can operate in the air it is essential that they have bases suitably equipped. In other words, ground organisation must receive prima.ry consideration, and the policy of development must consequently he such that anv increase in the aerial arm is always preceded by the provision of new aerodromes or “forward landing grounds” in order to provide, bases from which to operate or to increase the area over which aircraft, can be successfully employed. This po'icv of preference to the ground organisation should, be continued until such tim.o as the “operation bases” arose distributed throughout the Dominion ' as to enable the aircraft to work over all parts of it and its territorial! waters.”'